Azalea plant named &#39;MNIHAR012&#39;

ABSTRACT

A new and distinct variety of Azalea plant with spring and fall blooming, attractive, showy, semi-double, hose-in-hose flowers, easily propagated by semi-hardwood cuttings in late spring through summer, moderate growth rate under normal fertilization and moisture conditions; broadly-rounded and freely-branching in habit, grows well in containers, thrives in shade or sun and is hardy in Zone 6, is disclosed.

GENUS AND SPECIES

Rhododendron sp.

VARIETY DENOMINATION

‘MNIHAR012’

BACKGROUND OF THE NEW PLANT

The present invention is a new and distinct variety of evergreen Azalea of the genus Rhododendron. This new Azalea, hereinafter referred to as ‘MNIHAR012’, was discovered in 2003 in Lawrenceville, Ga. ‘MNIHAR012’ originated from a planned cross hybridization in 1999 between the female azalea plant ‘Conlec’ U.S. Plant Pat. No. 10,580 (patented) and the male azalea plant ‘September Morn’ (unpatented) in a controlled environment in Lawrenceville, Ga. The present invention has a blooming period in spring and fall, an upright, globose, and dense growth habit, and cold hardiness.

The new plant was first propagated via semi-hardwood cuttings in 2003 in Dearing, Ga. and has been asexually reproduced repeatedly by semi-hardwood cuttings in Dearing, Ga. for over seven years. ‘MNIHAR012’ has been found to retain its distinctive characteristics through successive asexual propagations via semi-hardwood cuttings.

‘MNIHAR012’ has not been made publicly available or sold more than one year prior to the filing date of this application.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The following are the most outstanding and distinguishing characteristics of this new cultivar when grown under normal horticultural practices in Dearing, Ga.

-   -   1. Spring and fall blooming;     -   2. Attractive, showy, purple colored flowers;     -   3. Numerous semi-double hose-in-hose flowers;     -   4. Easily propagated by semi-hardwood cuttings in late spring         through summer;     -   5. Moderate growth rate under normal fertilization and moisture         conditions;     -   6. Upright, globose, and dense growth habit;     -   7. Grows well in containers;     -   8. Thrives in shade or sun; and     -   9. Hardy in Zone 6.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PHOTOGRAPHS

This new Azalea hybrid variety is illustrated by the accompanying photographs which show buds, flowers, immature foliage and mature foliage. The colors shown are as true as can be reasonably obtained by conventional photographic means. The photographs are of 4-year-old plants grown in filtered shade and full sun in September in 2009 in Dearing, Ga.

FIG. 1 is a close-up showing mature foliage.

FIG. 2 shows mature foliage and growth habit of a five year old plant.

FIG. 3 is a close-up showing flower buds and immature foliage.

FIG. 4 is a close-up showing flower size, form, and color.

DETAILED BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION OF THE NEW PLANT

The following is a detailed description of the new variety of Azalea based on observations made of 4-year-old plants grown in three-gallon containers according to wholesale commercial production conditions, under full-sun and in an evaluation bed under semi-shade conditions in Dearing, Ga. in the spring, summer, and fall seasons of 2009. The colors of the various plant parts are detailed with reference to The Royal Horticultural Society Colour Chart (2001).

-   Classification:     -   -   Family.—Ericaceae.         -   Species.—Rhododendron sp.         -   Common name.—Azalea.         -   Commercial name.—‘MNIHAR012’. -   Parentage:     -   -   Female parent.—The azalea plant ‘Conlec’ U.S. Plant Pat. No.             10,580.         -   Male parent.—The azalea plant ‘September Morn’ (unpatented). -   Growth:     -   -   Form.—Upright, globose, dense.         -   Texture.—Medium.         -   Height.—91.44 cm to 106.68 cm.         -   Width.—121.92 cm to 152.4 cm.         -   Growth habit.—Freely-branching; dense and compact in nature.         -   Growth rate.—Moderate growth rate under normal fertilization             and moisture conditions. In a period of five years from a             rooted cutting the plant reaches a height of 63.5 cm and a             spread of 96.52 cm. The growth rate is normally averages             about 6.5 cm per year; the plant reaches a height of 91.44             cm to 106.68 cm at maturity while maintaining a dense habit             due to the abundant branch development.         -   Spring growth.—The date of initial spring growth is April 3,             followed by continuous growth through fall.         -   Life cycle.—Perennial and evergreen. -   Leaves:     -   -   Arrangement.—Alternate, simple, pubescent, and evergreen.         -   Shape.—Elliptic to obovate.         -   Apex.—Acute.         -   Base.—Acute.         -   Margin.—Entire.         -   Length.—4.4 cm.         -   Width.—1.4 cm.         -   Venation pattern.—Pinnate; the mid-veins and laterals are             impressed on the upper surface and the prominent on the             lower surface.         -   Immature leaf.—Upper surface: Color: Matte, RHS 144A             (yellow-green) to RHS N144A (yellow-green) with RHS 45A             (red) on edge and apex Pubescence: Strigose and scabrous             concentrated along midrib and margin Pubescence color: RHS             N155A (white) to RHS 165C (greyed-orange) Lower surface:             Color: Matte, RHS 146C (yellow-green) Pubescence: Strigose             and scabrous concentrated along midrib and margin Pubescence             color: RHS N155A (white).         -   Mature leaf.—Upper surface: Color: Semi-glossy, RHS 147A             (yellow-green) Pubescence: Strigose, color is RHS 164D             (grey-orange) Lower surface: Color: Matte, RHS 146A             (yellow-green) Pubescence: Scabrous, strigose along midrib             Pubescence color: RHS 159A (orange-white).         -   Petiole.—Length: 1.3 cm Diameter: 0.2 cm by 0.1 cm             Pubescence: Strigose with some villous Length: 0.1 cm Color:             Immature: RHS N155D (white) Mature: RHS 164C (greyed-orange)             Color: Immature: RHS 145A (yellow-green) Mature: RHS 145C             (yellow-green) with areas of RHS N144A (yellow-green) and             145B (yellow-green). -   Stems:     -   -   Form.—Densely branched at buds.         -   Young stems (1-year-old and younger).—Color: RHS 145A             (yellow-green) Pubescence: Hispid and strigose RHS N155A             (white) to RHS 164C (greyed-orange).         -   Second-year stems.—Color: RHS 199A (grey-brown) and N200B             (brown) Pubescence: Strigose, Pubescence color: RHS 199C             (grey-brown) in color Length: 6.5 cm on average Diameter:             0.3 cm Pith: Solid and uniform Internode length: Average 0.8             cm. -   Flower buds:     -   -   Arrangement and form.—Tight; borne in groups of two or             three, sheathed by a one to three modified leaf bracts             Length: average 2 cm Width: 0.9 cm Color: RHS 147A             (yellow-green).         -   Shape.—Ovate.         -   Apex.—Acute.         -   Base.—Rounded.         -   Length (at tight bud).—1.3 cm.         -   Diameter (at tight bud).—0.6 cm.         -   Color (of scales).—Immature: RHS 145D (yellow-green) Mature:             RHS 145A (yellow-green).         -   Texture.—Pubescent; strigose pubescence Pubescence color:             RHS 164B (greyed-orange).         -   Pedicel.—Length: 0.8 cm Diameter: 0.175 cm Texture:             Pubescent, strigose and villous pubescence Pubescence color:             RHS N155A (white) Color: RHS 145A (yellow-green) to RHS 58A             (red-purple).         -   Calyx.—Not present modified into bottom row of petals in             hose-in-hose flower form. -   Flowers:     -   -   Type.—Perfect, Semi-double hose-in-hose flowers.         -   Shape.—Open funnel-shaped.         -   Flowering habit and period.—Borne on the current season's             growth; three weeks beginning in late March in Dearing, Ga.;             flowering resumes in late July and continues until frost             which can be as late as November or December.         -   Lastingness of flowers on the plant.—4 to 6 days in the sun;             4 to 7 days in the shade.         -   Fragrance.—Absent.         -   Diameter.—6.3 cm.         -   Depth.—6.3 cm.         -   Petals.—Quantity per flower and arrangement: Two layers of 5             imbricate petals that are fused at the base and remain fused             up to 1.8 cm from base Shape: Obovate Apex: Rounded, with             some retuse Base: Fused Margin: Entire, undulate Texture             (both upper and lower surfaces): Glabrous Length (of petals             without spots): 3.8 cm Width (of petals without spots): 2.5             cm Color: Upper surfaces: RHS 64D (red-purple) Lower             surfaces: RHS 68B (red-purple) with areas of RHS 65B             (red-purple) around the midrib; the upper surface of the             spots are RHS 58A (red-purple) and lower surface of spots             are not visible. -   Reproductive parts:     -   -   Pistil.—Quantity and form: Single, non-petaloid Length: 3.2             cm Diameter: 0.075 cm Stigma: Color: RHS 46A (red) Diameter:             0.15 cm Style color: RHS 51B (red) Ovary: Pubescent,             strigose with 5 locules Color: RHS N155A (white).         -   Stamens.—Number: 8 to 9 per flower; non-petaloid with some             petaloid Length: 1.3 cm to 3.2 cm Color: RHS 51B (red) to             RHS 11C (yellow) at the base Anther: Length: 0.15 cm Width:             0.1 cm Color: RHS 65D (red-purple) with areas of RHS N79B             (purple) Pollen: Sparce Color: RHS 155D (white). -   Fruit:     -   -   Maturity.—The capsule matures in about 6 months in Dearing,             Ga. and the fruit set is low and contains about 0 to 200             non-winged seeds.         -   Length.—0.5 cm.         -   Width.—0.3 cm.         -   Color.—RHS 146B (yellow-green).

CULTURE

‘MNIHAR012’ grows well in a wide range of conditions and tolerates sun to shade. ‘MNIHAR012’ prefers moist, well-drained soil that is rich in organic matter and responds well to mulching and medium applications of fertilizer. ‘MNIHAR012’ does best in soil with a pH of 5.0 to 5.5 and is propagated with semi-hardwood cuttings in late spring through the summer. Azaleas root in five to six weeks with a high percentage of rooting (80% plus). Tissue culture is also an effective means of propagation for azaleas.

DISEASES AND INSECTS

Lace bugs, root weevils, and spider mites can be a problem. Fungal and bacterial pathogens have not been observed, but no resistance testing has been performed and no claim to abnormal resistance to pathogens can be made.

COMPARISON WITH PARENTAL AND COMMERCIAL VARIETIES

In Table 1, the ‘MNIHAR012’ is compared to parental varieties ‘Conlec’ U.S. Plant Pat. No. 10,580 (patented) and ‘September Morn’ (unpatented) and lists the differences between the varieties.

TABLE 1 Characteristic ‘MNIHAR012’ ‘Conlec’ ‘September Morn’ Plant Height 91.44 cm to 182.88 cm to 76.2 cm (Mature) 106.68 cm 243.84 cm Flower Diameter 6.3 cm 8.89 cm to 5.08 cm to 10.16 cm 6.35 cm Flower Form Semi-double, Single Single hose-in-hose Flower Color Purple Purple Red Bloom Period Late March to April and Early April Mid April and late late July July until frost until frost Hardy Zone 6 7 5 Stamen Number 8 to 9 8 to 10 5 Stamen Type Petaloid and Non-petaloid Non-Petaloid Non-petaloid

When ‘MNIHAR012’ is compared to the commercial variety ‘Roblen’ (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 16,248), ‘MNIHAR012’ has a broader growth habit with a height of 63.5 cm and a spread of 96.52 cm in five years, while ‘Roblen’ (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 16,248) has a height of 91.44 cm and a spread of 60.96 cm in six years. Additionally, ‘MNIHAR012’ produces purple flowers, while ‘Roblen’ has bright red flowers. 

I claim:
 1. A new variety of Azalea plant named ‘MNIHAR012’ as herein shown and described. 